In a first, the Uttar Pradesh government will undertake the task of modernising over 2,000 rice mills across the states to ensure quality control, so that the finished product fetches a better price in market.
The move is aimed at achieving the government’s goal of self-sufficiency in food and nutrition security, employment creation, and wealth generation. Rice milling is the oldest and largest agro-processing industry in the country.
There are about 757 large mills having a milling capacity of 4 tonnes per hour or more in the state while the number of smaller units is about 1,157 with less than 4 MT per hour milling capacity.
The smaller mills are equipped with traditional machines due to which the quality of rice deteriorates and does not conform to the standards of the Food Corporation of India.
“The private rice mills will be modernised and in this regard, some mandatory provisions will be made by the government,†Commissioner, Food and Civil Supplies, Sorabh Babu said. The department will soon hold a meeting with the UP Rice Millers’ Association and millers to encourage them for the same.
With the upgrade in machinery, capacity building, and use of modern technology, the government aims to produce high-quality rice.
For this purpose, the department of Food and Civil Supplies will motivate the rice millers and engage them in the use of technology. The government will soon set criteria in which empanelment of rice millers using new machinery will be considered.
The government will not provide any funding for the same, but the rice millers will be suggested to secure loans through MSMEs.
